Packing List for your Summer Vacation at Mt Hood
Posted by Mt Hood Vacation Rentals | Tuesday, June 7, 2016

There are lots of fun activities and outdoor recreation for you to enjoy during your Mt Hood summer vacation, so you might be tempted to bring everything but the kitchen sink. However, when you stay in a Mt Hood Vacation Rental, all you need to bring is food, clothing and your toys.

Here is a checklist of fun items to bring with you:

Kayaks Canoes Paddle Boards Mountain Bikes Road Bikes Fishing Rods Golf Clubs Hydration Packs Good Books Writing Journals Sunglasses Sunscreen Sandals Hiking Boots Shorts & T-shirts Backpacks Cameras Smart Phones Swimsuits Coolers Binoculars Beach Towels Maps & Guide Books Energy Bars

The weather around Mt Hood is picture-perfect during the summer months. The daytime temperatures range in the 70’s to 80’s, rarely getting any hotter and the evening temperatures are in the 50’s and 60’s, so you may want a light sweater for nighttime. For a detailed list of the items you will find in your Mt Hood Vacation Rental, visit our What to Pack page on the Mt Hood Vacation Rentals website. We look forward to seeing you this summer!

Mt Hood Vacation Planning

Sandy Mountain Festival
Posted by Mt Hood Vacation Rentals | Monday, July 4, 2011

The 39th annual Sandy Mountain Festival in Sandy, Oregon celebrates the city’s 100th birthday this year. The nearly week-long party kicks off with the parade down Proctor Ave on Thursday, July 7 and continues through the weekend with live entertainment, over 150 artists and 20 food booths on display in Meinig Park, a carnival and events for kids.

The best way to make sure you don’t miss any of the festivities is to stay in a Mt Hood Vacation Rental for the long weekend. Reserve one of our Featured Mt Hood Vacation Rentals, July 4-8 and receive an automatic 10% discount.

Kids’ Pet Show on Wednesday, July 6 at 10:30 am behind the Sandy Aquatic Center. Bring your pet and show off some tricks.

Kids’ Bike Derby on Thursday, July 7 at 10:30 am at the Cedar Ridge Middle School track. Categories for kids ages 3 and up.

Sandy Mountain Festival Parade, Thursday, July 7 at 7:00 pm. Enjoy a true home town parade that features horses, antique cars, floats, marching groups and Sandy’s five-generation court.

Sandy Music, Fair and Feast in Sandy’s Centennial Plaza.  Thursday Night is Family Night, 6:00 -11:00 pm featuring Anything Goes Band (the band will not play during the parade). Free to attend.

The Junior Talent Show is on Friday, July 8 from 2:00 to 4:00 pm (with cake and ice cream!). 6:00 pm to 12:30 am is entertainment for people 21 and over. Enjoy the beer and wine garden, margarita booth, concessions and main stage entertainment with live music from Dirt Farm Cowboys and Crush.

Open Microphone Session is on Saturday, July 9 from 3:00 – 5:00 pm. Those 21 and over will enjoy live music featuring Lock, Stock & Barrel and Crush from 6:00 pm to 12:30 am in the beer garden with beer, wine and margaritas. Get your $2 off admission coupons from Sandy Les Schwab!

Kids’ Carnival and Events will open after the Parade on Thursday and continue through Sunday, July 7 – 10. Other kids’ events include a pet show, bike derby, puppet shows and a kids’ parade.

Birdcage Theater Performances throughout the day on Friday and Saturday, July 9 – 10. Enjoy Oregon Old Time Fiddlers, Penny’s Puppets, the Sandy High Jazz Quartet and more!

Dale Nicholls Front Stage features live performances of music throughout the day on Friday and Saturday, July 9 – 10.



Mt Hood Vacation Planning

Five Most Important Tips When Reserving a Vacation Rental
Posted by Mt Hood Vacation Rentals | Tuesday, August 17, 2010

Staying in a vacation rental home is becoming increasingly popular for families taking a vacation, couples on a romantic rendezvous, sports enthusiasts coming together for an event, family reunions and just about anything else you can think of that you do when you go on vacation.

Some of the benefits of staying in a vacation rental include having a lot more space for your family and friends, the use of a complete kitchen for preparing meals, enjoying all the modern amenities of home like flat screen TV’s with cable, high-speed Internet, phones and sometimes luxuries that you don’t have at home like a pool table, theatre room, outdoor swimming pool and private hot tub all in awesome locations with ocean, mountain, river, desert and lake views.

With the growth of the popularity and availability of vacation rentals, there are some important things you can do to insure your visit will be everything you hoped for and more.

1. Decide what is important to you in your vacation home accommodation.

Remember the more items you “need”, the higher the cost of your vacation. So if you are on a budget, pare down the list.

Location

Is oceanfront a necessity or are you ok with being a few blocks from the beach? Also, check out the community you will be staying in. Do you like places with lots of night life and activity or do you prefer a quiet, sleepy little town?

Size of Home

How much square footage do you need? How many bedrooms and bathrooms do you need to be comfortable? Do you want separate living spaces for the kids and the adults? Most vacation homes have occupancy limits for safety reasons, so don’t try to cram too many people into a home. With a vacation rental you can afford to spread out as the cost is typically much less per person than renting several hotel rooms would be.

Amenities

Which amenities are necessary and which would be nice? Many vacation homes come equipped with multiple TV’s and entertainment centers, game rooms, 2 kitchens, high-speed Internet, private swimming pools and hot tubs, access to recreation centers and more.

Pet-friendly

Do you want to bring along your family pet? Many vacation rentals are pet-friendly. Just make sure pets are allowed at the home you will be staying in and that you inform the vacation rental manager that Fido will be joining you. And of importance to your pet, be sure this is a vacation that you will be spending with your pet. If your pet is left alone in a strange home, he may cause damage and it really isn’t very fun for him either.

2. Check the website listing of the vacation rentals you are interested in for guest reviews and testimonials.

This is a great way to find out if other people who have stayed in the vacation rental had a good time and if they would rent it again. If the reviewers enjoyed some of the same activities you are planning on doing, it will help you to determine that this home will be a good fit for your vacation. And be wary of reviews that are over-glowing with positive remarks; if there are a couple of minor concerns with a home, then you know the reviews are honest.

3. Look for lots of good photos, virtual tours and videos.

These all give you a better sense of the feeling of the home and the surrounding area. The interior photos and tours will help you see how the floor plan flows and if the home has the style and space that you need. The exterior photos and tours will assure you that the home is really situated in the setting that you are looking for.  Take the Tour.

4. Connect with a real person via a phone call or email.

Ask important questions about the home and the rental process. Make sure the home has the amenities and characteristics that are listed on the website. Ask about the proximity to recreation and activities that you will be enjoying while on vacation. Your inquiries should be responded to in less than 24 hours and they should be thorough, professional and friendly.

5. Only do business with someone who treats the transaction professionally.

Internet Listing

First look for an Internet listing that has good descriptions and photos of the vacation rentals.

Valid & Reliable Company

There should be clear and specific contact information for the company you will be making your reservation with.

Rates & Policies

The rates, payment policies and rental policies should be posted online; they should also be in a written rental agreement that outlines your arrival and departure dates, the name of the home you have rented, the rent, taxes and other charges with a grand total as well as any other important information regarding the rental of the vacation home.

Professional Vacation Rental Manager

The best way to find a professional vacation rental manager is to make sure the organization you are working with is a member of the Vacation Rental Managers Association, http://www.vrma.com/, as well as other professional organizations such as local Chambers of Commerce, Convention and Visitor Bureaus, the Better Business Bureau and others.

For more information and useful tips to assist you in making the best choice when reserving a vacation rental this summer, visit www.mthoodrentals.com. This webpage includes:

• Vacation Rental Advantages over Hotels
• Travelers’ Testimonials
• Why a Vacation Home
• Vacation Rental Specials
• 10 Secrets to Saving on Travel with Vacation Rentals
• Top 8 Vacation Rental Myths, Debunked
• Vacation Rental FAQs
• Vacation Rental Planning Tips
• Choosing the Right Vacation Rental
• Listing of over 150,000 vacation rentals across the United States

Another great source of information is in this article by Pauline Frommer.

To reserve a Mt Hood Vacation Rental:
866.761.8029 or [email protected] or Book Online.

Mt Hood Vacation Planning

Tips for Travelers when Reserving a Vacation Rental
Posted by Mt Hood Vacation Rentals 

The preference to stay in a Vacation Rental as a lodging accommodation for travelers while on vacation is growing.  The secret is out that a fully-furnished vacation home offers fabulous settings and views, complete kitchens, fireplaces, private hot tubs and lots of space for everyone in your group of family and friends.

When looking for the perfect vacation rental to stay in during your vacation, here are a few tips:

1.  Rent a professionally managed vacation rental to ensure youâ��ll get consistent hospitality services and quality assurance standards, as well as professionally cleaned and managed homes, ongoing & objective inspections and concierge type services that provide destination expert advice.  Also, make sure your reservation requests are treated with respect and in a timely fashion.  Friendly, helpful service goes a long way when planning your trip.

2.  Request and evaluate past guest reviews, testimonials and references.  You can find guest reviews for each rental home https://www.mthoodrentals.com/.

3.Ask about bedrooms and bed types, to make sure they match your groupâ��s needs â�� whether two twins, three queens, one king etc. or if there are real bedrooms or lofts.

4.  Maid service is usually not included in the rental, so if you prefer daily housekeeping services, you usually can pay an additional daily fee. All Mt Hood Vacation Rentals include a washer and dryer and basic cleaning supplies, so you are able to easily take care of the small items.

5.  If driving on vacation, bring a package with any unusual food and beverage items you enjoy at home.  Most specialty items are available nearby, so check with the management office first.  All of our rental homes also provide salt, pepper, ground cinnamon, Italian seasoning, cooking oil and sugar.

6.  Does the rental agency have an accessible customer service number for 24/7 emergency needs and after hour requests? At Mt Hood Vacation Rentals, you can call our local after-hours emergency number when the office is closed or you can reach someone at our toll-free number 24/7/365.

7.  Inquire about the privacy and setting of your rental home, as well as the type of community itâ��s located within (gated, near recreation, riverfront, etc.). At Mt Hood, we categorize our homes as secluded, semi-secluded, not secluded or condo.  Most homes are riverfront or creekside.

8.  Look for third-party endorsements on the websites of rental management companies, including membership in industry associations like the Vacation Rental Managers Association, Oregon Lodging Association or the local chamber of commerce.

9.  Ask about the kitchen and available appliances.  Ask for a list of all cookware, serveware, utensils and specialty items.  Rather than spending hard-earned vacation dollars on a full restaurant breakfast every morning, stock up from the local supermarket on your favorite cereal, snacks, eggs, or pancake mix. Then cook up a delicious group gourmet feast for dinner.  You can enjoy your favorite Oregon beer, wine and spirits and not have to worry about driving anywhere.

10.  If budget is of concern, traveling during Quiet Season can save you big money. At Mt Hood Vacation Rentals, our Quiet Season is from April 1 – mid-June and again from the first day of fall up to the Thanksgiving weekend.  The rates are already discounted and your 3rd night is 1/2 price, the 4th night is free.  Also, ask about other available specials.

11.  Find out if your vacation rental company has partnerships with any local vendors, attractions, etc., and whether or not they offer discounts or recommendations for area services, including dining, shopping, local activities, transportation and more. When staying in a Mt Hood Vacation Rental, you enjoy the privilige of purchasing discounted lift tickets for Mt Hood Meadows, Timberline and Mt Hood SkiBowl.

12.  Ask about extra charges such as security deposits, cleaning fees, damage waivers, recreation fees, parking fees, travel insurance, reservation fees and lodging taxes.  All of these fees increase the total nightly cost.  At Mt Hood Vacation Rentals, the only extra charges are lodging tax, reservation fee and optional trip cancellation insurance.

13.  Before your trip, confirm what amenities are included in the rental home to assist you in planning and packing more efficiently.

14.  If planning to bring a pet, check with your management company for any applicable fees, breed restrictions and any specials or pet welcome packets. Make sure you only bring pets to pet-friendly homes.  Some homes are set aside as non-pet homes for people with allergies.  Also, do make sure you “register” your pet with the management office.

15.  Are there lots of high-quality photos and virtual tours or videos of the home on the website?  These tools will help you to select the best home for your vacation.

16.  Real-time online availability and booking services on the website are useful as a way to determine which homes are available for your dates.  Also, if you end up finalizing your plans late at night, you can book your reservation yourself online.

17.  Once you have booked, you should receive a written confirmation of the home you have rented, the dates, total dollar amount and when payments are due along with rental, cancellation and refund policies.  These should be delivered within 24 hours if by email and within a couple of days if by regular mail.

If you are thinking about staying in a Mt Hood Vacation Rental this year, give us a call.  We would love to talk with you about your vacation and your needs, then assist you in selecting the best home for your Mt Hood Vacation.

Mt Hood Vacation Planning